Pearson Brings Together Leading Experts to Address College Readiness, Solutions to Increase Math Success in Higher Education

Share Article

International forum focuses on technology solutions to prepare students in today's economy

Our MyMathLab and MathXL educational solutions have changed the way millions of once-struggling students learn and achieve success at college-level math, often helping colleges and universities to reduce the cost of math instruction in the process.

New Orleans (PRWEB)March 12, 2009

In today's volatile economy, with unemployment at alarming levels and no end in sight, the ability to survive and thrive is becoming increasingly dependent on the right skills and, more often than not, a college degree. One government report estimates that 85 percent of current jobs, and almost 90 percent of the best-paying jobs in the fastest-growing industries, require some education beyond high school.

But despite these numbers, the reality is that more and more students are simply not prepared to handle college-level work once they get to campus, costing US taxpayers more than $1billion annually at a time when the nation can least afford it.

That's why Pearson, the global leader in education technology and education publishing, has convened a conference of leading education experts in the US and around the globe to discuss how to improve college readiness and how technology can be used to improve math success. The 2009 International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (ICTCM), currently taking place in New Orleans, includes more than 100 sessions, workshops and hands-on courses for professors and instructors. The conference is co-chaired by Susan Caire and Patricia Roux of Delgado Community College's math department.

This year's conference included a pre-session focused exclusively on college readiness and successful strategies in college mathematics. The pre-session included presentations by Louisiana State University mathematics instructor Phoebe Rouse about Louisiana's dual credit program; Georgia Perimeter College professor Sandee House about the implementation of readiness models within high school curriculum; and the American Diploma Project's initiative to raise the rigor of high school mathematics by Shilpi Niyogi of Pearson.

"Pearson is uniquely positioned to bring together these education experts to discuss ways to improve college readiness in today's challenging economic climate," said Greg Tobin, president of mathematics for Pearson Arts & Sciences. "Our MyMathLab and MathXL educational solutions have changed the way millions of once-struggling students learn and achieve success at college-level math, often helping colleges and universities to reduce the cost of math instruction in the process."

Pearson's own research shows how both MyMathLab and MathXL have a consistently positive impact on learning, with instructors reporting higher retention rates, higher pass rates, and/or higher subsequent success rates. These changes are especially meaningful for remedial and prerequisite math courses, and can help ensure that students who previously constituted the largest percentage of drop/fail/withdrawals not only stay in school, but graduate having mastered important concepts. The programs are self-paced and instructors can customize the programs to suit their students' level of knowledge. The programs can be used in any environment--lab-based, hybrid, distance learning or traditional.

At the high school level, Pearson's MathXL is helping teachers increase their students' readiness for college. The computer-based math learning tool actively engages students in their learning by increasing the amount of time they spend actually doing math problems. For example, Louisiana State University has created a pilot program using MathXL to bring LSU's math course to rural and urban high schools where access to education has been an issue. Students in the program take the same homework, quizzes, tests and final exam as the university students, but never have to leave their high school.

About Pearson -- Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to http://www.pearson.com.